Lx 4020 rops or cab (or 3520 cab)

[MartyTractor]

Considering cab versus open station for LX 4020. Live in SW virginia, Appalachian mountains. Cab with AC and heat sounds nice. Also no bugs or dust and not getting sunburn/skin cancer. Will spend 50-60% mowing 6 acres. Rest grapple work clearing out edge of woods and hoping to get a wood chipper to make mulch. Also tilling garden yearly. Plan to also fence in 10 acres or so with post hole digger. Also have 500 feet driveway to plow when we get snow. Also considered using square baler with the 4020.

I like the middle mount mower as I have many Christmas trees and fruit trees to mow around.

I currently have a BX and feel it’s a little tippy for loader work along my woodline as it’s on a hill. 20-25 degrees steepest hills at most but can go up and down most of the hills and don’t have to do much side hill driving. My concern would be that the cab model is significantly less stable than rops. Anyone have any thoughts. Either way would fill tires and likely get the oversized R14s as the larger tires are also 2.6” wider or so which is basically like wheel spacers.

Looking for people to steer me one way or another. Cost isn’t issue but if someone can convince me the 3520 is just as good wouldnt mind saving money, but doubt it can run a baler. Thanks

 

[BBFarmer]

Get that cab brother! Life is so much better with one... at least for me down here in the dirty south.

 

[S-G-R]

Another cab vote and go with the most pto hp you can afford.

 

[bobnic]

I bought an LX4020 cab last year and kept my BX2370 mainly for mowing and working in tight spaces. I love having the cab on the LX4020, bug free and cool in the summer and warm and dry when snow blowing in the winter. I also have the oversize R14 tires and they are filled. All that said, I would rate the "tippyness" of both tractors to be about the same. An LX4020 ROPS with the same filled tires would obviously be less tippy, but also less comfortable in the heat of summer and the cold of winter.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Good day.

I had a BX before I had a B (and also have an MX).

Both the B and the BX run out of traction before they run out of power. IMO the upgrade to the B was not much of an upgrade. Sure the B weighs a little more, as a percentage, but not really much when it comes to ability to push / pull or lift. Sure it lifts more as a percentage, but not much more in actual weight if consider how many more blocks on a pallet or bags of feed. It looks like an LX can lift a bit more, but if the machine doesn’t weigh much more that means gonna need to consider how you ballast if you need that much lift. (LX to me seems like a B with a heavier frame, lots more HP and some marginal lift - but I don’t understand that it weighs significantly more to be able to pull or lift much more safely without quite a bit of ballast - I don’t know that to be a fact as I don’t have one and have not operated one…this is just based on using a B regularly)

To me the B offers more ground clearance and slightly marginal more lift. However I believe the BX had a lower center of gravity and more stable. My B does both down/lug engine going up steep hills when using the PTO…so an LX with more power may have a significant advantage here, especially with an HST, which imo have a felt loss of of power going up a hill relative to a geared machine…it’s a belly rub opinion, I don’t have a reasonable way to prove that but I believe an HST has a 15-20ish percent felt loss when it lugs.

my recommendation would be to first decide want a cab or not. Then if not happy with the traction you have need to upsize based on weight of the machine you’d like to have for your tasks.

I think the LX would offer significant increase from a PTO application. If really need a 35 or 40hp machine why not look at an L, unless working in really tight quarters or really want a mid pto? IMO the standard Ls are much more tractor for the $ and I believe can get a cab in a 3560. Just a thought. (If need the HP an LX offers, do you need the weight to go with it or just need more power for PTO application?)

I’ll probably always have a B or maybe eventually a small L…I really like the ease of install and service of a 3pt cutter. Looking back I should have either have kept the BX (and never bought the B) or I should have started with a standard L and enjoyed a rear mower. (I wanted the MMM)

not sure that helps or not, but I would believe the LX (sure it weighs a couple more pounds)to be very similar to the B and would most likely run out of traction before it runs out of power.

I’d recommend if think want a LX ask your dealer if you can demo one where you use your BX and make sure it meets your expectation. JMHO

happy shopping. Send us some pics.

 

[chim]

Lots of cab/no cab discussions. I wouldn't be without a cab.

With regard to working in tight quarters, reviewing specs can be valuable. Below is part of a post of mine from a while back after using the L4240 and thinking it felt more nimble than the L3200 it replaced. After buying the 4240 the 3200 stayed around for a year, so it was easy to do comparisons:

"The size of the tractor had little to do with the turning radius on three of my tractors. Quote from a post of mine some time ago. The radius (actually diameter) was measured from the inside of the rear when turning in a circle. Shoved a stick in the ground at the rear tire, then drove from 3:00 to 9:00 and measured from stick to tire:

I SUSPECTED the tightest turning tractor of mine would be the Ford 1210. Then the L3200 and L4240 would follow in that order. Measuring from the face of the rear tire at 3:00 and 9:00 with the steering to full lock surprised me. The L4240 was 71", the 1210 was 80" and the L3200 was 98".

I've only used RFM's for 30 years. To mow around trees and things it's easy to swerve and leave very little uncut."

 

[PaulL]

I thought the larger tires weren't compatible with the mower - one or the other. They interfere when you turn sharply I believe. So if the reason for the LX is the MMM, then the larger tires may be a no go.

Spacers are important if you care about stability. I don't believe an LX (or an L) to be any more stable than a BX, other than (as you say) with a loader. The BX loader shifts the centre of gravity a lot. I'd recommend mowing without a loader though.

My vote is LX4020 with cab. Not my money.

I think 40hp is a bit much power in the LX chassis, other than if you have a really specific use. Like a baler..... but how much money are you going to pay extra to be able to run a baler?

The LX can take a front snow blower. The L cannot. And the L doesn't have a factory cab. Have you considered a grand L? But I agree, a MMM is quite a bit easier if you have a lot of trees.

I believe a zero turn would be better still if you have a lot of trees. Or I guess an F series. Then you could have whatever tractor you want, since it's not mowing. Or you could spray between the trees, so then you only have to mow the straight bits in the rows. Can you have sheep with Christmas trees, or do they graze them?

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I haven't been around hay baling for a looonng time, ttl, but a baler of old behind an LX anything would be a miserable experience for operator and tractor. It may have enough power, but it's lacking in the mass department.